Bond: Fans Tick Off Craig, While Critics Start to Rave

I think a lot of what people think of as "James Bond" depends on whether or not they've read the books, or just seen the movies. Ian Fleming's Bond is not some cuddly bon vivant in a monkey suit quipping his way through Europe. The books are quite dark and much more macho, and I think the producers were right to reinvigorate the franchise by bringing the character back to his origin. The preview was fantastically exciting and Mr. Craig is every bit as butch as Ian Fleming envisioned his character.

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Having not yet seen Casino Royale, I have seen Daniel Craig in several other roles, in which I felt he did remarkably well. The one thing that Connery and Craig share as actors is an emotional accessability that the reamaining actors somewhat lacked. Most notably, Pierce Brosnan and Roger Moore, were in my opinion too slick and too pretty to be able to convery much depth of character. Craig is an "Everyman" big ears and all. More people can identify with the guy with the dirt on his face over the one in the glove-fitting Armani tuxedo.

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It's always hard for a new actor to take on a beloved role, but the vehemence on this one has gone to a silly level. I don't know why the bitchiness has gone off the charts but I am prepared to wait and see. From what I have seen of Craig's previous performances and the teaser trailers, I suspect he will give us a good interpretation of the character. He certainly looks like a guy who's thrown a punch and taken a few in real life unlike any of his predecessors.

As for Bond's suaveness, the conceit of this installment is how Bond becomes Agent 007. And, for my money, it's so much more interesting to see character development than mere rote violence. Anyway, the sophistication is simply a veneer, a defense against the ugliness of his real occupation. And for those who think one needs to be classically handsome to be smooth and gentlemanly, just check out any tango film. I never thought Rudolf Valentino was attractive until I saw Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

As a fellow actor, I prefer to give someone a chance first. I didn't expect to like Christopher Eccleston as Doctor Who but he truly won me over. In contrast, I had high expectations for Brosnan as Bond and ended up sorely disappointed. So you never know until you give it a fair shot.

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How did they screw this up? Clive Owen! That's the new Bond.

It was giftwrapped for them.

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This is the first time I have wanted to pay to see a bond movie. The last time I saw one was when I was little in the 70s. Craig is unique looking and ruggedly handsome. After watching the trailer in a movie theatre, I said "I have to see that"

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I think that Daniel Craig is perfect for the role! Why the fuck does everyone insist on complaining so much? At least wait until the movie comes out so you can TRULY judge.

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Well, you all are any indication of the movie-going public, the film should do quite well!

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yea...a metrosexual Bond is soooo much fun to watch.

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Excuse me but Ian Fleming never really intended his character to be that dashing and good looking. This is how a Bond movie should be made regardless of the competition it has with the Jason Bourne series. I've read some of the books and let me tell you this is how a Bond movie should be done without a doubt. Daniel Craig may not look the part I will agree on that but the guy can act and thats enough for me. Watch Layer Cake and Road to Perditon and you'll see why hes a complete bad-ass in every role he does. Hes one of the great actors that try to be the character instead of acting for acting sake. He actually trys to be the character which is all the more compelling for me in its trueist form.

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I was one of the ones jumping the one the "WTF Daniel Craig as 007" bandwagon when it when first came out. Its not that I didn't think he wasn't a good actor, I didn't think he was right for the part. I was routing for Jude Law.
After seeing a couple trailers for the movie, I have to say, I will eat my words. I think he is bringing to the franchise sometime that was missing, grit and edge. Dalton's Bond (which I really like) was gritty and edgy, but still had the Bond campiness.
I am looking forward to this movie, and will be in line on opening day.

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Jude Law? Smug, odd looking chap

Clive Owen? plank of wood

Uh, those two shouldn't be allowed near a bond movie.

I've got a good feeling about Daniel Craig, the trailer looks great & it looks like they're playing it more down to earth than 'invisible cars' (wtf??)

I thought the series lost its way with Dalton & the insanely naff scripts he had so hopefully they can restart the franchise with a snap back to the Connery days (who, let's be honest is no oil painting)

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Personally I'm waiting to actually see the film before passing judgement, the stuff I've seen with DC in he was pretty good, the trailer for Casino Roayle, looks pretty danm good and I hate Pierce Brosnan with a passion, so all in all CR should be pertty good.

As regards a couple of alternative suggestions for bonds I agree with #11 (lp), Jude Law can be good, but he's generally too slimy for Bond, and Clive 'one expression' Owen would've been a weak choice too. There's my 2p ;)

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Having met (many years ago) both Jude Law and Daniel Craig I have to say the thought that Jude would make a better Bond is about the funniest thing I've read on the whole actor who plays Bond subject. Think about it: who would you rather have on your side in a fight - JL or DC?

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Can I just say that anyone in the UK will realise that The Sun and The Daily Mail (i can hardly even bring myself to type those words without my fingers locking in hatred)are both very very bad papers and you should not take any notice of their reviews. Having said that The Guardian doesn't like any films at all unless they are black and white and Taiwanese.

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I lost interest in Bond after Connery was gone because he had an edge and grittiness to him that I loved. I have seen the trailer for Casino Royale and now, for the first time in 2 decades, I want to pay to see a Bond film. Craig has grit, depth, great acting chops and he's good looking, but not pretty. Who would be afraid of a pretty man? Connery also is good looking, but not pretty. Give me a man with grit... depth of character and not just gizmos... I think DC is going to save the Bond franchise from extinction. Hurrah for Daniel Craig!

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One word - oh well, two:

Gerard Butler

(go rent 'Dear Frankie')

(um that was six).

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I agree with Kate, Ian Fleming's Bond was far more rugged, in the books he's wounded rather often and typically makes it out of tight situations on luck as much as suave persuasiveness. After seeing Layer Cake ( I know there's a 4 in there somewhere) I was excited to see Craig as Bond, he should bring a chilly and more frightening Bond to life. In one of the early books Fleming describes Bond as having a "cruel" face, Craig can certainly pull off that look. Cant wait for the film, I just wish Duran Duran was doing the theme again. I kid, I kid.

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Daniel Craig is what an action hero should look like. What also would've been cool if a small chunk of his ear was bitten off.

For god's sake, it's a man's action movie!

-rus

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A word of advice about British newspaper reviews (and take it from me: I have to read all of the buggers for my job!):

Don't trust 'em.

The Guardian and the Independent only like films made for less than $5, where the central actor is a piece of string who speaks Russian. Set in Israel.

The Daily Mail and Express hate all films that contain more than one swear word. They hate anything that you couldn't take your kids to. And since they're so conservative in their tastes, they wouldn't take their kids to see anything actually fun.

The Sun, Mirror and Star seem to get paid for their reviews; it's the only explanation for some of the pap they've 5-starred. The Star, for example, loved Elektra, as I remember.

The FT is reasonably good, and the Times and Telegraph are too, when they're not being high-and-mighty. Trust them. Maybe.

On a side-note, I'm going to see this, bad reviews or not. Sorry, but it's JAMES BLOODY BOND!

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I've sceen EVERY James Bond there is. I've read most of the books. I can honestly say that I am more excited to see Daniel Craig as the next Bond then anyone else in Hollywood. The guy is a great actor! We need to get back to the Bond days where it was more about the culture the film is set in then the wild stunts.
This Bond should be good...back to the basics with a talented actor that is going to raise the bar.

I'm not saying he's better then Connery...but he is certainly #2 and that's without even seeing it yet. bank on it.

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